Transcript “NZ Residential Energy Use Dynamics, Knowledge & Realities”

“NZ Residential Energy
Use Dynamics, Knowledge
& Realities”
Alison Adams-Smith, MSc, MPlanPrac
PhD Candidate, Victoria University
Introduction
 2006 “Energy Outlook” business-as-usual -
a 1% per yr increase in energy efficiency next 25 yrs.
 But actually an increase in energy demand
over the last decade.
 When will the reality of climate change
actually kick in and influence energy use?
Proposal
 Investigate climate change (cc) awareness and
household energy consumption.
 Develop a framework for relationships between
residential energy demands and cc knowledge.
 Build on surveys and modelling of energy choices
- changes in cc awareness and energy use patterns.
 Identify how government policy decisions
influence cc knowledge and energy choices.
The Tipping Point
 Increased cc knowledge related to increased
energy efficiency - “The Tipping Point”?
 Gladwells’: how social tipping points occur - what
actions in society lead them.
 How can this particular ‘social epidemic’ be
tracked?
 “that dramatic moment when little causes drive the
unexpected to become expected and propel the
idea of radical change to certain acceptance”
Key Areas
 Energy demand context in NZ
 How cc awareness & knowledge/household
energy consumption change over time.
 “Tipping Point” pattern identification.
 Range of drivers of energy choices.
 Current government and stakeholder policies
energy choices.
 Reshaping government policies - to more effective
carbon emissions reduction from energy use.
Quantitative Assessment
Modelling the influence of climate change
experiences and knowledge on
1. Space/water heating;
2. Appliance use;
3. Vehicle purchase/use/use of transport alternatives
4. Discretionary activities which use energy;
5. Other residential energy uses;
6. Things people buy
The Questionnaire - climate
change knowledge & awareness
1. What is climate change?
2. Is it happening / a problem?
3. How do you get information?
4. Personal contribution to climate change?
The Questionnaire - Current
energy use actions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Demographics
Living/ work situation
Energy efficiency
Hot water
Lighting
Space heating
Thanks to Colmar Brunton
Knowledge/Actions Vs Values
 Values now vs the future - intentions can’t be reliably




answered.
Values - hard to quantify, not easily correlated with actual
actions.
Actions taken now - better indicator of future actions,
unless independent variables.
Energy use & efficiency linked to actual knowledge /
awareness of cc – both must be done in real time.
Poll over several years - limited extrapolation to future.
Conclusions…